Sermon Guide: John 16:7-11 “The Ministry of the Spirit to the World”
Date Preached: March 9, 2025
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Key Passages
John 16:7–11, ESV
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Sermon Overview
While Jesus was on earth, he convicted the world of sin, righteous, and judgment — not to condemn them, but so that he might save them.
Now that Jesus has returned to his place by the Father’s side in heaven, he has sent his Holy Spirit to continue that same ministry. Convincing the unbelieving world of sin, so that they might seek its cure in Christ; of righteousness, that they might see that their best deeds are insufficient; and of judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged and defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Structure
1. The World
Humility: we were once “the world”
Love: “for God so loved the world…”
2. The World’s Compass
They’re wrong about “wrong”
They’re wrong about “right”
3. The World’s Judgment
Defeating the Serpent
Offering freedom to the serpent’s offspring
Definitions & Resources
The World
In John’s Gospel, “the world” means all those who are ignorant of, ambivalent toward, or hostile to Jesus. It’s a “kingdom” word; a person is either of “the world” or in the kingdom of heaven.
Convict
In John 16, the word “convict” means to bring a person to the point of recognizing their own wrongdoing; to “convince.”
Questions for Discussion & Reflection
1. How should remembering that we were once part of “the world” affect our attitude toward non-believers?
2. How does the world misunderstand sin and righteousness? Can you think of examples in today’s culture?
3. Have you ever had a moment where the Spirit convicted you of being “wrong about wrong” or “wrong about right”?
4. How does the defeat of the satan by Christ on the cross give us compassion for the world?
